Featured Family
Featured Family
The Van Der Walts
The Van Der Walts
The Van Der Walts
Worldschooling takes a unique form for every family. This week, we’re talking to Billie and Selwyn of the Van Der Walts, who met and fell in love while working on a cruise ship together. After welcoming their two boys into the world, they sold up and left the UK to hit the road full-time, on a mission to share the world with their children. Here you can read about the lessons they’ve learned so far, what has surprised them about the worldschooling community, and how they keep their family feeling secure wherever they are.
Worldschooling takes a unique form for every family. This week, we’re talking to Billie and Selwyn of the Van Der Walts, who met and fell in love while working on a cruise ship together. After welcoming their two boys into the world, they sold up and left the UK to hit the road full-time, on a mission to share the world with their children. Here you can read about the lessons they’ve learned so far, what has surprised them about the worldschooling community, and how they keep their family feeling secure wherever they are.
Where do you and your family call home when you're not travelling?
Billie was born in Manchester, UK; Selwyn was born in Cape Town - but we met while travelling the world, and our first home was a cruise ship, before Covid hit and sent us to the UK for a few years before we made the leap to travel full-time again, as a four this time!
What motivated you to choose this life?
Before our children were even a pipe dream, we’d had conversations about how we wanted our future family to grow, knowing that the world is wonderful, vibrant, and welcoming. We worked with 62 different nationalities at a time on the cruise ships and heard stories of what real life was like in all these places, so that planted the seed of wanting our children to explore the world early. We have always held the belief that the best way to raise children without judgement or prejudice is for them to experience the world with their own eyes.
Do you have a dream hub you’d love to attend one day?
We haven’t done so much research on particular hubs to visit yet. We think we’d get more value from a hub in a year or two when the boys are slightly older. We loved our time with Tay Tai in Vietnam, though, and we’d love to explore a colder-climate hub where we could learn snow sports as a family or the floating hubs at sea (for obvious nostalgic reasons!).
Where do you and your family call home when you're not travelling?
Billie was born in Manchester, UK; Selwyn was born in Cape Town - but we met while travelling the world, and our first home was a cruise ship, before Covid hit and sent us to the UK for a few years before we made the leap to travel full-time again, as a four this time!
What motivated you to choose this life?
Before our children were even a pipe dream, we’d had conversations about how we wanted our future family to grow, knowing that the world is wonderful, vibrant, and welcoming. We worked with 62 different nationalities at a time on the cruise ships and heard stories of what real life was like in all these places, so that planted the seed of wanting our children to explore the world early. We have always held the belief that the best way to raise children without judgement or prejudice is for them to experience the world with their own eyes.
Do you have a dream hub you’d love to attend one day?
We haven’t done so much research on particular hubs to visit yet. We think we’d get more value from a hub in a year or two when the boys are slightly older. We loved our time with Tay Tai in Vietnam, though, and we’d love to explore a colder-climate hub where we could learn snow sports as a family or the floating hubs at sea (for obvious nostalgic reasons!).
How do you earn a living on the road?
For our first six months of travelling, we concentrated on finding our rhythm and having fun - it’s been wonderful! BUT, it’s shown us that this is definitely the life we want, and so the income hunt begins! We have made a small amount from social media, but Selwyn has retrained in cyber security and web development, so will be looking to freelance. We both have a background in managing worldwide sales teams, so there is potential for income there too. We have also written a children’s book and destination guides for other families hoping to worldschool; 2026 looks like a busy year!
How do you earn a living on the road?
For our first six months of travelling, we concentrated on finding our rhythm and having fun - it’s been wonderful! BUT, it’s shown us that this is definitely the life we want, and so the income hunt begins! We have made a small amount from social media, but Selwyn has retrained in cyber security and web development, so will be looking to freelance. We both have a background in managing worldwide sales teams, so there is potential for income there too. We have also written a children’s book and destination guides for other families hoping to worldschool; 2026 looks like a busy year!
Where are you headed next?
We had a good 12 months planned in advance, then plans fell apart because Selwyn’s passport makes it quite tough to travel to certain places as we got a visa knockback. It also means that we have to do a little bit of prior planning and can’t be quite as spontaneous as we’d like! We’re in Thailand for the next two months, but have to return to England later in 2026 to renew Selwyn’s UK visa… it should eventually lead to a British passport which will make our lifestyle a lot easier in the long run!
We have Sri Lanka and Malaysia on our list for this year but would love to return to China too - that country stole our hearts completely!
Top things you’re likely to splurge on?
Accommodation! We quickly found out that it’s one area that we don’t like to compromise on our comfort. Having a separate bedroom each in a nice area with a little bit of outdoor space makes the world of difference for us. We save in other areas, though; we love making our own meals and shopping locally.
How quickly do you travel as a family?
We started off travelling quite quickly and slowed down recently. We are so glad we did it this way around - I feel like when you first set off, you’re driven by the novelty and excitement and can handle spending a week or two in each place. We wanted to see so much of China, so we moved around quite swiftly there too in the hopes of feeling satisfied with our visit, not wanting to have the feeling that we missed out on anywhere… as it turns out, it just gave us more places to visit and a thirst to return for longer next time! But slowly, our needs have changed a little. Now we love being around other families for longer, making friends and getting comfortable in an area, which is a whole different experience and way more relaxing!
Where are you headed next?
We had a good 12 months planned in advance, then plans fell apart because Selwyn’s passport makes it quite tough to travel to certain places as we got a visa knockback. It also means that we have to do a little bit of prior planning and can’t be quite as spontaneous as we’d like! We’re in Thailand for the next two months, but have to return to England later in 2026 to renew Selwyn’s UK visa… it should eventually lead to a British passport which will make our lifestyle a lot easier in the long run!
We have Sri Lanka and Malaysia on our list for this year but would love to return to China too - that country stole our hearts completely!
Top things you’re likely to splurge on?
Accommodation! We quickly found out that it’s one area that we don’t like to compromise on our comfort. Having a separate bedroom each in a nice area with a little bit of outdoor space makes the world of difference for us. We save in other areas, though; we love making our own meals and shopping locally.
How quickly do you travel as a family?
We started off travelling quite quickly and slowed down recently. We are so glad we did it this way around - I feel like when you first set off, you’re driven by the novelty and excitement and can handle spending a week or two in each place. We wanted to see so much of China, so we moved around quite swiftly there too in the hopes of feeling satisfied with our visit, not wanting to have the feeling that we missed out on anywhere… as it turns out, it just gave us more places to visit and a thirst to return for longer next time! But slowly, our needs have changed a little. Now we love being around other families for longer, making friends and getting comfortable in an area, which is a whole different experience and way more relaxing!
Do you have any tips for travelling with kids?
Not everyone is going to understand your life choices - especially the people you leave behind. Just trust that your new friends are already out in the world waiting; you just haven’t met them yet!
Also, however much you’re planning on packing, half it. Other than that, ALWAYS have a secret stash of bubbles, balloons, and Haribo for travel days - they have saved us so many times over.
Do you have any tips for travelling with kids?
Not everyone is going to understand your life choices - especially the people you leave behind. Just trust that your new friends are already out in the world waiting; you just haven’t met them yet!
Also, however much you’re planning on packing, half it. Other than that, ALWAYS have a secret stash of bubbles, balloons, and Haribo for travel days - they have saved us so many times over.
Do you keep any weekly, monthly, or annual traditions no matter where you are?
We read books every night and take long family walks every Sunday. We also have a thing; it’s super cheesy, but if anyone shouts “family cuddle”, then everyone has to drop whatever they’re doing and have a huge, silly pile-on-style cuddle. It’s often inconvenient and always hilarious.
They’re such small traditions, but they really help us feel secure and give the boys stability.
What do you love most about the worldschooling community?
The worldschooling community really is so special. Before we set off, I had hesitations that it might be a little cliquey, but I really shouldn’t have worried. I have never met a friendlier bunch than the worldschool community, so willing to share experiences and advice. It’s amazing how much bonding can be done while your children run wild together!
What's the hardest thing you find about travelling or educating around the world?
Finding the line between overpacking and being underprepared was a learning curve. You’re really not sure what to bring until you’re out in the world doing it for yourself! But truthfully, the whole switch to worldschooling has been way less difficult than we anticipated.
How do you see the worldschooling community expanding and growing in the coming years?
With 20% of people in the UK considering alternative education at the minute, combined with the cost of living, I definitely see an explosion in worldschooling on the horizon.
Just from my inbox, I can see a shift towards educational travel, even from families that aren’t planning to travel full-time. People want trips that stay with you and leave an impression long after you land back in the UK. More people seem to be hungry for meaningful experiences, and I think that’s wonderful!
I only can see it as a great thing, more families to meet and share resources and memories with!
Finally, is there anything else you’d like to add, or tell our readers about?
Don’t just go to the countries that are at the top of your list. Don’t just travel for the good times.
The BEST memories and really valuable moments for us as a family have come from the countries we LEAST expected. The niggles and challenges are the things we look back on with pride and have given us such a solid bond.
Do you keep any weekly, monthly, or annual traditions no matter where you are?
We read books every night and take long family walks every Sunday. We also have a thing; it’s super cheesy, but if anyone shouts “family cuddle”, then everyone has to drop whatever they’re doing and have a huge, silly pile-on-style cuddle. It’s often inconvenient and always hilarious.
They’re such small traditions, but they really help us feel secure and give the boys stability.
What do you love most about the worldschooling community?
The worldschooling community really is so special. Before we set off, I had hesitations that it might be a little cliquey, but I really shouldn’t have worried. I have never met a friendlier bunch than the worldschool community, so willing to share experiences and advice. It’s amazing how much bonding can be done while your children run wild together!
What's the hardest thing you find about travelling or educating around the world?
Finding the line between overpacking and being underprepared was a learning curve. You’re really not sure what to bring until you’re out in the world doing it for yourself! But truthfully, the whole switch to worldschooling has been way less difficult than we anticipated.
How do you see the worldschooling community expanding and growing in the coming years?
With 20% of people in the UK considering alternative education at the minute, combined with the cost of living, I definitely see an explosion in worldschooling on the horizon.
Just from my inbox, I can see a shift towards educational travel, even from families that aren’t planning to travel full-time. People want trips that stay with you and leave an impression long after you land back in the UK. More people seem to be hungry for meaningful experiences, and I think that’s wonderful!
I only can see it as a great thing, more families to meet and share resources and memories with!
Finally, is there anything else you’d like to add, or tell our readers about?
Don’t just go to the countries that are at the top of your list. Don’t just travel for the good times.
The BEST memories and really valuable moments for us as a family have come from the countries we LEAST expected. The niggles and challenges are the things we look back on with pride and have given us such a solid bond.
From everyday moments to big adventures, follow Billie and Selwyn as they share life on the road on The Van Der Walts’ Instagram at @wanderingvanderwalts.
From everyday moments to big adventures, follow Billie and Selwyn as they share life on the road on The Van Der Walts’ Instagram at @wanderingvanderwalts.
